Sign illumination



1932. E. s. SCHENKEL SIGN'ILLUMINATION Filed Aug. 19, 1952 [N VE N 7 OR a 6 fic/rzw/rzz 3636 M 44 A TTORN/i) Patented Nov. 1932 EMIL S. SCHENKEL, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y.

sren mummn'rron Application filed August 19, 1932. Serial No. 829,482.

This invention relates to signs; more particularly, to illuminated signs. It is an object of my invention to provide a sign for advertising and exhibit purposes 5 which is easy to manufacture, and constructed of relatively inexpensive material, but

which in its essential features exhibits all the attractive elements of highly expensive illuminated signs. Thus, it is contemplated by my invention to provide a sign construction in which the letters or other graphic representations give the illusionof considerable depth, and where used for exhibit or advertising purposes, the letters thereof, even though made upon the surface mounting the same by flat surfacing treatment, give the appearance of considerable depth, and therefore are more conspicuous, prominent and attractive, when viewed by transmitted or reflected light.

Still further objects of my invention reside in the provision of a sign construction in which the graphic representations, comprising letters, words or similar characters, may be supported upon a supporting base of fiat material, such as glass, paper, parchment, celluloid or the like, whereby these may be applied by a simple and inexpensive surfacing operation, such as by printing, coating, painting or the like, and upon illumination, either by transmitted or reflected light, give the illusion'of depth and shaded effect simulating blocked letters or gas filled tubes.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof, in which- Figure l is a face view of my device;

Figure 2 is a perspective View thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical section of my device;

. Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail of another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 7 is a sectional view through another embodiment of my invention.

Making reference to the drawing, the device as contemplated by me, in its preferred form, comprises a housing 10, preferably made of sheet metal, with brilliant internal surfaces 11, such as obtained by tinned metal,

within which there is arranged to be contained a source of illumination 12, such as an incandescent bulb mounted within a socket 13, having a source'of electrical current 14. This may also include a flickering device of well-known construction. 4

The housing 10 is open at its front face 15, and is formed with a framing element 16 of pleasing appearance and shape. Rearwardly of the frame there is provided a pair of grooved frames 17 and 18, the housing being slitted at 19 and 20 to provide access to these grooved frames, for purposes which will appear more clearly as this description proceeds.

Within the frames 17 and 18, a sign plate may be arranged, visibility being enhanced by transmitted light, whenever the lamp 12 is luminous.

With such construction, in its preferred form, I provide within the grooved frame 11 a sign element 21, and forwardly spaced therefrom a second sign element 22. The essential element of my sign construction lies in the general relationship of the sign elements 21 and 22, and therefore more particular reference will now be made thereto.

The sign element 21 is preferably composed of a sheeted material. This may be glass, celluloid, oiled or parchmentized paper or similar material. It is preferred, however, that the 'sheet 21 be made of parchmentized paper or board which has been rendered translucent, to give an even light distributing effect by impregnating the same with a .thin water-white lubricating oil, such as mineral oil.

In the production of a sign element of this character, I first print upon the sign element 21, which is preferably parchmentized paper orboard of the character above described, outlines of the graphic representations or letters 24. This may be accomplished by a printing operation .using a dye. Where a colored effect is desired, and the colors preferably chosen such as those usually employed,

in gas filled tubes, the coloring material which is utilized is atransparent dye which colors the paper without modifying the translucency of the paper or backing material.- Over the section outlined by the printed portions 24, or where a white effect is desired, this may be untreated, there is then applied a stencil outline 25, blocking out the characters defined by the portion 24. The

blocked out portions 25 are applied bya printing operation, using a heavy, opaque printing ink and this, for purposespf contrast is preferably black. The printmg operation may be effected by a silk screen method. Subsequently, this sheet is then rendered translucent by dipping the same into an oily mixture, such as a light weight mineral oil, or paraffin oil. The excess is then squeezed out of the paper and the sheet is ready for use.

The sign element 22 is arranged to be of substantially exactly the same size as the element 21. This element is preferably made of atransparent sheeting, such as glass, transparent celluloid or regenerated cellulose, which may comprise the product known on the market as cellophane. Upon this sheet 22 there is outlined the graphic characters 26, by a printing or surfacing operation, such as spraying stencilling or the screen process previously referred to. The characters 26 are preferably made of a coating material of opaque character, such as opaque printing ink and the characters 26 are arranged upon the sheet so as to be substantially in registrywith the outline of the characters 24, on the sheet 21.

The construction as described provides two spaced sheeted materials with a pair of characters in spaced relationship, preferably 1n registry with each other, the rearward one being capable of being illuminated by transmitted light from the source 12, and the forward one, being capable of illumination by reflected light. The effect produced when the sign is viewed from aslight angle, to one side, or below or above the characters is that of substantial depth and shaded effect of the letters, simulating heavily blocked out characters or letters. This I attribute, to some extent, to the fact that the front sign element 22, particularly where this is made of glass, provides a rearward reflective surface, particularly where the characters 26 are made of opaque material, to give the illusion of a continuous stream of light between the spaces defined by the elements 21 and 22. This effect, coupled with the transparency of the element 22 and the opaque black background formed by the portion 25 of the rear element 21, gives to the surface coatings of each of the elements the third dimensional effect.

To further accentuate the depth or third 55 dimensional effect of the characters defining the graphic representations .or letters, espe' cially where the sign element is to be viewed directly from the front, absolute registry of K ment I may form the characters 26a of a coating composition which is somewhat translucent. In this embodiment I prefer to form at the outlines of the characters 26 a narrow stripping 27, and this is referably formed by an opaque printing i or paint. When this embodiment is viewed with transmitted light obtained from the lamp 12, the third dimensional effect will be accentuated, and when the sign is viewed by reflected light only, from the forward portion of the sign, the outline of the characters 26 will be more definite.

It will further be observed that though in the particular embodiment as illustrated in Figure 6 the characters 26a may be formedof some translucent paint or printing ink, I may also utilize an opaque coating material, as in the prior embodiment.

It will further be observed that though I have described the sign element as made from two separately spacedsheeted materials' 21 and 22, a single sheeting may be used and in this form, a heavier plate of glass, having the requisite spacing between the front face and the rear face, may be utilized. In this embodiment, the rear face of the sheeting is covered with the opaque material corresponding to the coating 25, outlining the characters 24 by a transparent space or dyed transpar ent coating and the front face is coated at the spaces corresponding to the sections 26, with anopaque printing ink or paint.

In Figure 7 I have disclosed an additional embodiment, and in this construction 28 comrises a plate, preferably of glass, the rear face 29 whereof is coated with an opaque printing ink or paint 30, outlining a character 31-. The front face 32 has applied at 33 characters defined by the spaces formed at 31, to be in direct registry with these portions, or slightly offset, in a manner previously described.

This embodiment will serve to give to the illuminated portions 31 the third dimensional effect, to some degree, as previously described.

I may also associate in connection with the embodiment illustrated and described in connection with Figure 7, an independent sign tions. When I associate t e sheeting 34 with the plate 28 to the rear thereof, in spaced relatiflonship therewith, I may omit the-coating '30,.and preferably apply to the space 31, out-' lining the characters on the rear surface 29 of the plate 28, an additional coating outlining the characters corresponding to the spaces provided at the portions 33on the front face 32 of the plate and that formed at 36 on the sheet 34. This coating is preferably of a translucent printin ink or paint. This construction, as descri ed, further accentuates the third dimensional effect of the characters coated upon the sign elements It will further'be observed'that th'ou h it is contemplated by me, in my preferred orm, to assemble two sheeted elements, the rear one of which includes an o aque stencil outlining transparent or trans ucent characters, and a front element having characters in registry therewith and formed by coating, leav- 4 ing other portions trans arent or translucent,

to give an appearance 0 de th or substantial thickness and the illusion 0 characters made by blocking out heavy wood, glass or tubes,

I may assemble a plurality of such members,

as generally defined by the element 22 forwardly of the sign element 21, and where such construction is provided, it is preferred that the coating material used to outline the characters be of translucent paint or dye and of a color compatible with that which outlines the characters 24, and as nearly identical therewith in shade as to impart to this intermediate section a continuity 'of characters from the rear element 21 to the forward element 22.

It will thus be observed that I have provided a new and novel sign, of simple construction, which provides all the essentials and desirable characteristics for im arting distinctiveness and attractiveness, an which gives the impression of a much more expensive device.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an illuminated sign, in combination with a light source, a pair of sign elements carrying graphic representations, said sign elements comprising spaced translucent surfaces, one surface defining the characters by an opaque printed stencil being positioned adjacent the light source, the other carrying printed characters in substantial registry therewith, leaving the remainder-of the surfaces substantially unmodified for simulta- IflBOllSlY viewing the characters of both suraces.

2. In an illuminated sign, in combination with a light source, a plurality of sign elements comprising surface coatings defining letters or characters in spaced relation and in substantial registry, the coating of-one surface being substantially o aque and mounted upon a transparent sheeting, the other coatmg bemg opaque stencil and disposed between thelight source and the first surface.

3. 11 an illuminated sign, in combination with a light source, a plurality of sign elements comprising surface coatings defining letters or characters in spaced relation and in substantial registry, the coating of one surface being substantially opaque and mounted upon a transparentsheetlng, the other coating being an opaque stencil and disposed between the light source and the first surface, the stencil coat being formed upon a substantially translucent sheeting.

4. In an illuminated slgn, in combination with a light source, a plurality of sign elements com rising surface coatings defining letters or c aracters in spaced relation and in substantial registry, the coating of one surface'being substantially opaque and mounted upon a transparent sheetlng, the other coating being an opaque stencil and disposed between the light source and the first surface,

' the stencil coat being formed upon a substantially translucent sheeting, the translucent sheeting and coating of the first mentioned surface being shades ofthe same color. I

5. In an illuminated sign,a sign element for letters or characters comprising a subspaced surfaces whereof include a surface coated portion outlining letters or characters by an opaque coating material to leave the letters or characters visible by transmitted.

translucent light, the opposite surface inleaving the remainder of the surface trans-' parent.

6. In an illuminated sign, sign elements therefor, comprising a li ht transmitting portion defining letters or c aracters upon an opaque background, and a forwardly positioned transparent surface supporting a coating defining identical letters or characters with the first letters or characters mentioned, and overlying the light transmitting portion and spaced therefrom, whereby the second coating and light transmitting portions may be simultaneously viewed.

7. In an illuminated sign, sign elements therefor, comprising a light transmitting portion defining letters or characters upon an opaque background, and a forwardly positioned transparent surface supporting a coating defining identical letters or characters with the first letters or characters mentioned, and overlying the light transmitting portion and spaced therefrom, whereby the second 100 stantially transparent sheet, the opposite coating-and light transmitting portions may be simultaneously viewed, the second coating being of a substantially similar color.

8. In an illuminated sign, sign elements therefor, comprising a light transmitting portion defining letters or c aracters upon an opaque background, and a forwardly positioned transparent surface supporting a coatin defining identical letters or characters 0nd coating and light transmittingl with the first letters or characters mentioned, and overlying the li ht transmittin portion and spaced there rom, whereby t e secmay be simultaneously viewed, e second coating being of a substantially similar color, and formed of opaque coating material.

9. In an illuminated si sign elements therefor, comprising a light transmitting portion defining letters or characters upon an opague background, and a forwardly positione transparent surface supporting a coating defining identical letters or characters with the first letters or characters mentioned, and overlying the light transmitting portion and spaced therefrom, whereby the secondfcoating and light transmittin portions may be simultaneously viewed, t e'second coating being of a substantially similar color, and opaque outlines for said second coating.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name this 17th da of Au st, 1932.

' S. CHENKEL.

mama's portions 

